Housing consultant, IOM Moldova

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS    

Reference code:  SVN2024-19 

Open to External Candidates 

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

1. Nature of the consultancy: Provide advisory services to the government and the basic needs working group, taking the lead in creating a housing/shelter roadmap for Moldova. 

2. Project Context and Scope:  

Urbanization in the Republic of Moldova lags behind neighboring countries, contributing to persistent territorial inequalities driven by limited job opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, and services in rural areas. The country has witnessed a decline in population due to emigration and a natural decrease. Remittances, accounting for 14.1 percent of GDP in 2022, have played a crucial role in enhancing living standards. 

Moldova is currently hosting a significant number of refugees due to the conflict in Ukraine, prompting humanitarian agencies to provide temporary accommodation. However, there is a pressing need for sustainable long-term solutions to address the housing crisis that has been ongoing for decades. Low housing affordability affects individuals across various income levels, despite some improvements over the years. Challenges such as a distorted tenure structure and an under-regulated private rental sector continue to impact the housing market, with fluctuating house prices affecting affordability and access to mortgage loans for households. 

The UN Migration Agency (IOM) and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) collaborated to analyze Moldova's housing system and policies, aiming to identify barriers to providing affordable housing for refugees and vulnerable groups in host communities. They designed a pilot housing project based on policy recommendations to repurpose unused buildings into social and affordable housing for various target groups, including refugees affected by housing affordability issues. The research, conducted from September to December 2023, included stakeholder interviews, data analyses, workshops, and a comparative review of European affordable housing programs to support the development of the pilot initiative and long-term housing policy. 

3. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing Housing/CBI/WASH unit/ National Housing action plan” Enhancing National Capabilities for Sustainable and Adequate Housing Solutions by Formulating a National Housing Action Plan” 

6. Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment First deliverables:  

• Develop rapport with focal persons in the ministries of infrastructure and regional development, labour and social protection, and Chisinau municipality to establish connections. 

• Arrange initial meetings with government stakeholders, including partners from the basic needs working group focusing on housing and shelter. 

• Collaborate with Government officials to assess the housing ecosystem, review various housing assessments, and discuss the proposed pilot project. (40% payment - Update email on deliverables by 15th August 2024) 

Second deliverable:  

• Coordinate a consultation workshop involving ministries, relevant municipalities, government agencies, private sector entities, civil society organizations (CSOs), and members of the basic needs working group to develop a housing action plan for Moldova. 

• Draft the initial version of the roadmap, including relevant annexes, and share it with all stakeholders for feedback. (35% payment - Deliverable by email by 15th September 2024) 

Final deliverable:  

• Prepare the final version of the housing roadmap for publication– Third and Final instalment payment – 25% Deliverable by email by 30th October 2024 

7. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results 

• Tasks listed in the TORs that are on track/completed. 

- Final outline of the housing action plan ready for publication  

8. Education, Experience, and/or skills required 

• High school diploma with six years of experience; or,  

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business management, Civil engineering, urban planning, Social Sciences, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with four  years of relevant professional experience; 

• Fluency in English and Romania required and Working knowledge of relevant languages desired Russian.  

9. Travel required 

N/A 

10. Competencies  

Values 

• Inclusion and respect for diversity respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible. 

• Integrity and transparency maintain high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct. 

• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges. 

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators 

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results. 

• Delivering results produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes. 

• Managing and sharing knowledge continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate. 

• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work. 

• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way. 

Other 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this special vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.  

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, security clearances and a valid COVID certification.  

A prerequisite for taking up the position is legal residency in the country of the duty station and work permit, as applicable. 

How to apply: 

Interested applicants are invited to send CV and Cover Letter in English to: hrchisinau@iom.int 

Please, indicate the position you are applying for and reference code in the subject line of your message. 

Closing date for applications is 26 July 2024. 

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts the applications duly completed. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  

Posting period:  

From 12.07.2024 to 26.07.2024